New Piece - Strive LE/LC Combo Unit

[C123C]

So I've been looking at leg extensions for a long time as a few of you know. I'm not a big machine guy but for whatever reason my build, with squatting only chucks/OL shoes/stance doesn't matter, eventually results in a quad pull. Cure for this is some LEs once in a while which I've been doing with a strap and sitting on my reverse hyper. Not terribly comfortable but worked.

Recent move opened up some room. I looked at new/used...was hoping to grab an older BodyMasters unit. Would have loved a combo and spoke to a few guys here about them but often there was a significant compromise one way or the other and I really wanted a prone leg curl. Of course I lusted after the Prime/Strive leg extension in the cost no object thread.

Low and behold a Strive branded combo unit shows up on CL. I speak to the gentleman and his family was Strive Fitness, his father created most of their designs. This unit never sold well in a commercial setting so they only manufactured it for a year making maybe a handful. This has been his personal unit for many years and now he's downsizing his gym and home so getting rid of some pieces. No damage, slight wear on the plate loading posts, pads literally look brand new. Great guy and he dropped it off/assembled tonight with a partner as he was headed up my way (he's still in the gym business servicing equipment).

Have not tried a full workout yet but have messed around and it's impressive in either form. Pretty pumped about it! I'll post back with impressions.







A few more pics attached that BBing.com decided to rotate because apparently they don't like portrait shots.

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[oldred]

I like that. Would've driven to look at it had it been at the other end of the state.

[Nebamartinez]

Congrats man. That’s a nice looking machine. 😎

[Deep-Voiced-One]

C123C, Nice addition!

[C123C]

Thanks guys. I'll take some new pics (horizontal orientation only) and get them posted in here. Pretty excited about it. Casual testing showed it "felt right" and matched mechanics that I find work for me on other machines.

Can't believe I found one of these in combo unit form. Plus it was great to get the entire back story on Strive and this unit in particular. Really had no idea this was ever manufactured. It looked like Atlantis makes a combo unit in stack form that appears pretty solid (https://www.atlantisstrength.com/en/...eg-curl-combo/) though you don't get the customized loading points that Strive/Prime offers. I can't speak to how important that is to me but from the cost no object thread the Strive/Prime leg extension with this comes out on top.

About to hit the gym and get in a session on it so will report back.

[gym62richard]

Great back story, rare piece and a functionally great unit, what more could you ask for, congratulations.

[aloosecannon]

Looks like a nice piece, congratulations. Great story with it too, getting it from a member of the Strive family. I look forward to hearing how you like it after a few workouts.

[smokinHawk]

awesome find.
I love my selectorized cam leg curl and extension, It is better IMO just changing the weight stack pin and cam from the seat then getting up and changing weights on the pegs.
Doing strip sets like that are amazing, you can really exhaust the muscle like nothing else.
I got rid of my peg plate loaded strive in favor of the selctorized cam versions.

[C123C]

Updated pics below - some of them aren't great angles BUT at least BBing.com won't have you cant your head sideways to see them.

First impressions from full workout (after deads/rows/pulldowns) - butter smooth and tight on both motions. Massively different than sitting on my RH...yes, it kept me injury free albeit very uncomfortable BUT with this unit I could feel quad imbalances the first rep I got with decent weight on this thing. Will definitely make a major difference and rationalized purchase right there. Ergonomics seem as good as any separate machine I've tried including my favorites. Good adjustability to dial everything in perfectly. No material or immaterial concession on this combo unit. As far as the multiple pegs for peak loading, I need more experience with them but everyone seems to love either the cam or plate load variable. I loaded the top/bottom to a decent point then tossed some in the middle - I was afraid it would be more a hindrance to getting things even for baseline but that's not the case at all...more nuanced than I feared but seems effective. If I had a negative thought it might be that I usually prefer a roller on leg curls but the angled pad functions fine moving up/down the leg with comfort so just in my mind. Comfortable as all hell in general. Pads are absolute mint as one would expect from a single user (non-abuser) personal gym.

Overall super happy. Not another unit I'd rather have and glad to get this one plus the story on it. For those that don't know Strive was a Western PA/Pittsburgh area company so nice to have a piece from a local manufacturer too.

I'll report back after a few more sessions. I plan to get it into the mix frequently so won't be too long. Appreciate the positive thoughts/comments. I waited a while on this and for once our local CL paid off. Actually I can't complain about CL here anymore - usually there's not anything but between this, my Legend pulldown/row, and my Powerblocks it's done me right.

I'll eventually take the A/B/C/D attachment tape markings off! Just noticed in the pics.

[a7stringkilla]

WOW! I had no idea that thing existed. That is easily the best plate loaded LE/LC combo Ive seen.

[C123C]

WOW! I had no idea that thing existed. That is easily the best plate loaded LE/LC combo Ive seen.

That's what I said. I was shocked. I don't track stuff as closely as a lot of guys here but never saw mention of this. When he explained how few were made over the one year as their focus was mainly larger commercial gyms it made sense. Design is really sharp and easy to adjust. Strive put a lot of thought into their work. It's evidence in the mechanisms and how everything was planned out. It's as good or maybe better than any leg extension I've ever used and similar for the curl. I don't generally even do leg curls but was super impressed with the movement on this.

awesome find.
I love my selectorized cam leg curl and extension, It is better IMO just changing the weight stack pin and cam from the seat then getting up and changing weights on the pegs.
Doing strip sets like that are amazing, you can really exhaust the muscle like nothing else.
I got rid of my peg plate loaded strive in favor of the selctorized cam versions.

So...I told him all about your big Strive acquisition and that you had made videos discussing the cam setup and how great it was...as well as how much people here respected their designs. It really made his day as the family took a lot of pride in their work. When he was setting it up he talked all about his father and their time in the business. Apparently they still hold a few patents that weren't produced. From his description they were super innovative and would be very marketable today. I suggested maybe produce under Arsenal or something to monetize but at least get them out there.

[ArtifactFit]

Nice find. I had a few of the Strive Medical pieces. In many ways Dr. Lapcevic was ahead of his time. It’s unfortunate they didn’t become more popular.

I have both the plate loaded knee ext and prone knee flex units in my basement, would absolutely love to have the extra space and have them be in one unit! Great find!

[Buildlifts]

Do you still have this piece? Any updates thoughts over the years? Thanks!

[C123C]

Do you still have this piece? Any updates thoughts over the years? Thanks!

Yeah, just used it this morning. Rock solid piece. No desire to replace. I do wish the bottom shin pad was a roller. Prime relaunched this design and it's a roller there. Only really would show value on leg curls for me but fine as is. Someone messaged me a while back and they located another of these Strive units. Per the owner's son (mine was his unit) they only made a handful one year as it didn't really sell well and home gym market wasn't mature like today so limited appetite for expensive pieces.

Current version from Prime. I think Atlantis has a nice one too. Focusing only on lying leg curl not units which do seated leg curl which are FAR more common. Obviously these are priced at commercial levels on the site.
https://www.primefitnessusa.com/prod...g-curl-combo-1

[Cerege]

Congrats! But do you really need this equipment at home? Or do you want a fully equipment gym at your place?

[C123C]

Congrats! But do you really need this equipment at home? Or do you want a fully equipment gym at your place?

Please tell me more about this "fully equipment gym"? Sounds amazing. Never heard of this before.

[Cerege]

I wanted to share a video with you about the idea of a fully equipped gym at home. But the thing is that I can't post YT links here.
Well, basically, for me, it's when you have all the machines and equipment at home, even some professional equipment. It is costly to do something like this for personal use. But some people can afford it. Indeed, you have to work out every single day to do something like this.
At the moment, I just have an old bike for cardio (I found it accidentally for a ridiculously low price) and some weights. But I'm aiming to get more equipment. I see some guys here build really good, and I would even say professional gyms. I wanna do the same. But we'll see how it goes.

[C123C]

I wanted to share a video with you about the idea of a fully equipped gym at home. But the thing is that I can't post YT links here.
Well, basically, for me, it's when you have all the machines and equipment at home, even some professional equipment. It is costly to do something like this for personal use. But some people can afford it. Indeed, you have to work out every single day to do something like this.
At the moment, I just have an old bike for cardio (I found it accidentally for a ridiculously low price) and some weights. But I'm aiming to get more equipment. I see some guys here build really good, and I would even say professional gyms. I wanna do the same. But we'll see how it goes.

Check out the stickied threads like the newbie on and racks/bars. Providing your body is intact and good health (ie no major injuries preventing basic movements) you need a rack, bar, bench and weight. Bench can be basic flat but ok to splurge on an adjustable (don't bother with decline just incline, upright and flat). Pick up a copy of rippetoe's Starting Strength which will lay out and teach the basic movements and how to progress. Go ahead and start your own thread on this and people will help you.

[Cerege]

Check out the stickied threads like the newbie on and racks/bars. Providing your body is intact and good health (ie no major injuries preventing basic movements) you need a rack, bar, bench and weight. Bench can be basic flat but ok to splurge on an adjustable (don't bother with decline just incline, upright and flat). Pick up a copy of rippetoe's Starting Strength which will lay out and teach the basic movements and how to progress. Go ahead and start your own thread on this and people will help you.

I found one gym bench, and I'm not sure if I can post pics here. The bench is a bit pricey, but it's adjustable and stable. I've seen a similar one in my local gym. But they have more advanced ones; I just wanna have something that I use all the time. Still, even with a small gym at home, I still keep my membership at the local gym. But on some days it's so crowded. I guess everybody just wanted to become fit in one day.

[Buildlifts]

Appreciate the response! I have one on order, I had vacillated between the plate loaded and selectorized but decided plate loaded was best. Glad to hear you're still enjoying yours.

[C123C]

Appreciate the response! I have one on order, I had vacillated between the plate loaded and selectorized but decided plate loaded was best. Glad to hear you're still enjoying yours.

Awesome. Glad it worked out. It's ideal for home or small gym. You aren't giving up anything to other top tier separate units and saves space which for many of us is at a premium.

Was never a good fit for commercial gyms as they want throughput of clients and having two popular machines in one just creates a big bottleneck. Decent fit for rental or condo gyms but they just want to say "we have a gym" and don't care about good equipment.